Re: Tube Rolling Final Step? Replace the OC2 for a OA2Reply #1 - 01/12/14 at 19:41:00

I found it interesting that you are looking for a smoother more mellow sound with your mini. Of all the amps I own, my mini is by far the most tubey and if anything I wish it had a more airy and open sound to it. What other components are in your system?

Re: Tube Rolling Final Step? Replace the OC2 for a OA2Reply #4 - 01/13/14 at 14:51:58

The OD3 Coke bottle tubes may not fit next to my very big and wide VA 350b tubes.

I did find some straight bottle on ebay:

RCA OD3A Tubes, I hope these are as good $11.00 for the pair.

I also purchased some Mullard OA2 tubes for $11.00 each, I hope these are better than the RCA tubes.

I have a pair of Amperex 7062 tubes, however I find the special blackplates, white label, RCA 12au7 tubes I recently purchased to sound better (if you compare the RCAs to the stock JJ 12au7, there is a huge difference in sound quality.

Re: Tube Rolling Final Step? Replace the OC2 for a OA2Reply #6 - 01/23/14 at 20:04:40

The Mullard OA2WA/CV4100 arrived today from the NOS Tube Store in Turkey.

The price was $11.00 per pair plus $10.00 for shipping (packed very nicely).

This is a great sounding tube (darker and crisper than the stock Raytheon OC2). Further the MT is much more quiet, low level passages rise above the noise of the tubes with the Mullard OA2WA /CV4100 tubes in place.Not edgy or bright sounding.

The OA2WA /CV4100 tube rolling has a much bigger impact than what I was expecting and for the price is a must try.

"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with the concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, deceptions, and spoils;The motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Hell. Let no such man be trusted." William Shakespeare

Re: Tube Rolling Final Step? Replace the OC2 for a OA2Reply #12 - 01/27/14 at 22:33:23

Mark, the 12AT7, which I've used as my first choice on the Mini for a long while, is perfectly acceptable, and yet it is even more out of spec than the intermediate 7062 for this application. I'm assuming it will work the same with the ZP3 if it can already accept the 12AT7.

I already enjoy the 7062's very much when paired with 6V6 G ST's (Coke shape), so I want to try what would probably be a side step change with the 6414's, but who knows, it may even surprise me.

The 12 AT7's are great with darker (warmer), more dense sounding tubes like the Russian Reflektor Plant 6V6's. Otherwise, the typical 6V6 tube tends to be overdriven by these drivers, becoming sibilant or worse.

I have yet to try an RCA black plate 12AU7, as these are supposed to be really good and after all the amp was originally voiced with these 12AU7's.

Re: Tube Rolling Final Step? Replace the OC2 for a OA2Reply #13 - 01/27/14 at 23:05:00

Fireblade, after I posted my question, I realized it was in the Mini Torii thread. The only Amp that I have that uses a 12AU7 is the ZP3 and I'm not sure I should use the tube you guys were speaking of as a replacement. In my ZP3 in the 12AU7 spot I really like RCA Black Plates both 12AU7 and 5814A which is currently in the ZP3...the below are some I've used. They were all cheap. I would recommend giving them a try. I like the old RCA Black Plates better than the RCA Clear Tops and Amprex 12AU7 I've also tried....they're warmer in the ZP3. I think the RCA long black plate 12AU7 is better (the last one) than the RCA short plate 5814A. Mark.

"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with the concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, deceptions, and spoils;The motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Hell. Let no such man be trusted." William Shakespeare